Professor Seiji Katayama,     Joining and Welding Research Institute, Osaka University, 11–1 Mihohaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567–0047, Japan. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr S. Tsukamoto,     Structural Materials Unit, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba 305–0047, Japan. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr R. Fabbro,     Laboratoire PIMM (Arts et Métiers ParisTech – CNRS), 151, Bd. de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France. E-mail address: [email protected]

Klaus Löffler,     International Sales Laser Systems, TRUMPF Laser and Systems GmbH, Johann-Maus-Straße 2, 71254 Ditzingen, Germany. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr J. Zhou^*,     Pennsylvania State University, The Behrend College, Erie, PA 16509, USA. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr H.L. Tsai,     Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 335 Toomey Hall, Rolla, MO 65409, USA. E-mail address: [email protected]

Professor L. Quintino^*,     Instituto Superior Técnico, Departamento de Engenharia Mecánica, Área Científica de Tecnologia Mecánica e Gestao Industrial, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049–001 Lisboa, Portugal. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr Eurico Assunção,     European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting, Av. Prof. Cavaco Silva, 33 – TagusPark, 2740–120 Porto Salvo, Portugal. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr Mohammed Naeem,     JK Lasers, Cosford Lane, Swift Valley, Rugby CV21 1QN, UK. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr J.M. Sánchez-Amaya^*,     Titania, Ensayos y Proyectos Industriales S.L., Parque Tecnológico TecnoBahía Edif., RETSE Nave 4, Ctra Sanlúcar A-2001 Km 7,5., 11500- El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Spain. E-mail address: [email protected]

M.R. Amaya-Vázquez, Mrs and , ProfessorF.J. Botana[email protected],     Laboratory of Corrosion and Protection (LABCYP), Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry (CASEM), University of Cadiz, Avda. República Saharaui s/n, 11510-Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain. E-mail address: [email protected]

Felix Möller, Mr^* and , DrClaus Thomy,     BIAS – Bremer Institut fürangewandte Strahltechnik GmbH, Klagenfurter Strasse 2, D-28359 Bremen, Germany. E-mail address: [email protected]

Ian Jones, Mr,     TWI Ltd, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AL, UK. E-mail address: [email protected]

Professor Isamu Miyamoto,     Osaka University, 2–1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565–0871, Japan. E-mail address: [email protected]

Professor Hidekazu Murakawa,     Osaka University, 11–1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567–0047, Japan. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr Menno de Graaf^*,     Cargotec ACT and University of Twente, Laboratory of Mechanical Automation, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr Ronald Aarts,     University of Twente, Laboratory of Mechanical Automation, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

Dr Andreas Wetzig,     Ablation and Cutting Department, Fraunhofer IWS Dresden, Germany. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr Yukio Miyashita,     Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603–1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka 940–2188, Niigata, Japan. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr Xudong Zhang,     Materials Research Center, Hitachi Research Laboratory, Hitachi Ltd, 1–1, Omika-cho 7-chome, Hitachi, Ibaraki 319–1292, Japan. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr Dirk Petring,     Fraunhofer-Institute for Laser Technology (ILT), Steinbachstrasse 15, 52074 Aachen, Germany. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr A. Gumenyuk^* and , ProfessorM. Rethmeier,     Division of Welding Technology, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany. E-mail address: [email protected]

Professor Suck-Joo Na^* and , DrWon-Ik Cho,     Department of Mechanical Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Yusoonggu, Daejeon, 305–701, South Korea. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr Matthias Graudenz^*,     Technology Development – Laser Joining, Audi AG, 85045 Ingolstadt, Germany. E-mail address: [email protected]

Dr Markus Baur,     Body Shop Audi A4/A5/Q5, Audi AG, 85045 Ingolstadt, Germany. E-mail address: [email protected]

Hongxiao Wang,     Changchun Railway Vehicles Co. Ltd, Qingyin Road 435, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China. E-mail address: [email protected]

Professor Jens Klsstrup Kristensen,     Maglehoej 62, 3520 Farum, Denmark. E-mail address: [email protected]